The Qur'an informs us concerning the existence
of an initial gaseous mass (dukhan), as well as descriptions of the
elements which, although at first were fused together (ratq), they
subsequently became separated (fatq). These ideas are expressed in
chapters Fussilat and al-Anbiyaa:

"God then rose turning towards the heaven which it was smoke
..." (Al-Qur'an, 41:11)

"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and
the earth were
joined together (as one unit of creation), then We split them
apart?" (Al-Qur'an 21:30)

According to modern science, the separation process resulted in the formation
of multiple worlds, a concept which appears dozens of times in the Qur'an. For
example, look at the first chapter of the Qur'an, al-Faatihah: ( "Praise be
to God, the Lord of the Worlds." Al-Qur'an, 1:1).

These Qur'anic
references are all in perfect agreement with modern ideas on the existence of
primary nebula (galactic dust), followed by the separation of the elements which
resulted in the formation of galaxies and then stars from which the planets were
born.

Chapter ath-Thariyaat of the Qur'an alludes to
one of the most imposing discoverises of modern science, the Expansion of the
Universe.

"The heaven, We have built it with power, Verily We are expanding
it." (Al-Qur'an, 51:47)

The expansion of the Universe was first suggested by the general theory of
relativity and is supported by the calculations of astrophysics. The regular
movement of the galactic light towards the red section of the spectrum is
explained by the distancing of one galaxy from another. Thus, the size of the
universe appears to be progressively increasing.

Whereas the Bible talks of the sun and the moon as
two lights differing only in size, the Qur'an distinguishes between them by the
use of different terms: light (noor) for the moon, and lamp
(siraaj) for the sun.

"Did you see how Allah created seven heavens,
one above the other,
and made in them the moon a light and the sun a lamp?" (Al-Qur'an,
78:12-13)

The moon is an inert body which reflects light, whereas the sun is a
celestial body in a state of permanent combustion producing both light and heat.

Today, the laws governing the celestial systems are well known.
Galaxies are balanced by the position of stars and planets in well-defined
orbits, as well the interplay of gravitational forces produced by their masses
and the speed of their movements. But is this not what the Qur'an describes in
terms which have only become comprehensible in modern times. In chapter al-Anbiyaa we find:

"(God is) the one Who created the night, the day,
the sun and the
moon. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own
motion." (Al-Qur'an, 21:33)